Associate Judges

ASSOCIATE JUDGES:

The Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show draws upon several of South Africa’s new-generation winemakers, brokers, sommeliers and wine writers – all of whom have appropriate tasting experience. They are provided with the opportunity of working in a rigorous show-judging environment and learning from the international and local tasters to whom they are seconded. Associate judges work in the tasting room with the main panel and are invited to participate in the discussion, however their scores are not included in the final tally.

Murray Barlow

Murray is the cellarmaster at Rustenberg Wines, which his family owns and runs. He read his Masters in Oenology at the University of Adelaide in Australia, graduating in 2011 Cum Laude. He graduated from the Michael Fridjhon Wine Judging Academy with distinction in 2015. Murray has won the Diner's Club Young Winemaker of the year twice, the first person in the history of the competition to do so. Trophy Wine Show associate judge in 2015 and 2018 and International Wine Challenge associate judge in 2019.

Ndaba Dube

Food & Beverage manager at the new Blaauwberg Beach Hotel since end of 2018. Ndaba Dube joined the Vineyard Hotel in Cape Town in 2009 as a barman and quickly identified wine as a particular interest. He worked up the ranks becoming a sommelier and maître’d and is now a senior restaurant manager overseeing the hotel’s wine portfolio and events. He has a B. Bus Admin in Finance and Sociology degree from UNISA, a PG Dip. certificate in Wine Business Management from UCT Graduate School of Business (short course) and has also completed WSET Levels 1 to 3 and Cape Wine Academy courses. Michael Fridjhon Wine Judging Academy 2018 graduate. Trophy Wine Show associate judge in 2018.

Spencer Fondaumiere

Regional Sales Manager at Warwick Wine Estate. Kenyan-born Fondaumiere began his journey in wine when he moved to South Africa in 2013. First to qualify as a South African Sommeliers Association (SASA) sommelier, completed WSET Level 3 and a graduate of the Michael Fridjhon Judging Academy in 2016. A qualified chef, Spencer was the operations manager and sommelier for the Open Door group of restaurants. Senior judge at The Sommeliers Selection, the Ultra Value Wine Challenge, the Standard Bank Top 10 Chenin Blanc Challenge and the Amorim Cap Classique Challenge. Trophy Wine Show associate judge since 2016.

Gynore Fredericks

Graduated with BSc Agriculture (Viticulture and Oenology) at Elsenburg in 2016. Joined the Cape Winemakers Guild protégé program in 2017. Currently in final year of internship at Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines. Obtained a certificate in wine evaluation from University of Stellenbosch in 2018. Michael Fridjhon Wine Judging Academy distinction graduate in 2019.

Tinashe Nyamudoka

Head Sommelier and Beverage Manager at The Test Kitchen in Woodstock, Cape Town. A Cape Wine Academy Diploma graduate, Tinashe completed the certificate in Wine Business Management at the UCT Graduate School of Business. Previously Head Sommelier at The Oyster Box Hotel and Sommelier at The One&Only Hotel. Panellist for Wine of the Month Club, the Chenin Blanc Challenge and Platter’s 5 Star and regular wine judge at the Michelangelo Wine & Spirits Awards. Completed the Michael Fridjhon Wine Judging Academy in 2016. Trophy Wine Show associate judge in 2017 and judge at Mundus Vini Spring Wine Tasting 2019 in Germany.

Debi van Flymen CWM

Owner of DvF Wine Distributors and wine events company GrapeSlave, Debi is a Cape Wine Master and lecturer for both the WSET and Cape Wine Academy. Currently a British Master of Wine student. Inducted into the Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne at the inaugural African Chapitre Gala. Opened bespoke catering company Culinary Productions in 2004. A writer and regular contributor to wine podcasts and radio programmes. A graduate of the 2016 Michael Fridjhon Wine Judging Academy and Diner’s Club Winemaker of the Year judge in 2016, 2017, 2018. Trophy Wine Show associate judge in 2017 and 2018.